Cal Swimming: David Durden Named U.S. Olympic Men's Team Head Coach

Durden will lead U.S. squad at Tokyo as eighth Cal coach to hold the national team reins at the Olympics

Cal men’s swim coach David Durden has been named to head the U.S. men’s national team that will compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Durden, who is in his 12th season as Cal’s coach, served as an assistant on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. He has coached athletes at the four most recent Olympics.

He is the eighth Cal coach to serve as a U.S. Olympic team head coach. Most recently, Teri McKeever was the head women’s coach for the 2016 London Games.

“I found myself incredibly humbled in reviewing the list of coaching legends that have held this position," Durden said in a statement. "I am grateful to the swimmers I have worked with, the coaches I have stood shoulder to shoulder with, the Cal Aquatic community that has supported me, and to our Athletic Director Jim Knowlton and his leadership to help me be in this position.

“Most importantly, I would like to thank my wife Cathy and our kids Jack and Mia that have allowed me to be who I am as a coach, and that have supported me every step of the way.”

At the 2016 Rio Games, six Cal swimmers combined to earn 11 Olympic medals, including eight golds, led by Ryan Murphy, who claimed three gold medals and set a world record in the 100-meter backstroke.

Durden was named coach of the year by the American Swim Coaches Association in 2016. He is a four-time NCAA Coach of the Year and seven-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year and in 11 years with Durden at the helm, Cal swimmers have won 37 NCAA titles and 85 Pac-12 titles.